Watchdog group tallies Christian right visits to White House

Key conservative Christian leaders made dozens of visits to the White House during President George W. Bush’s administration, a watchdog group announced.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington had sought the records for years.

“Newly disclosed Bush-era White House visitor records suggest leading conservative Christian leaders may have had a significant voice in President Bush’s administration, and many seem to have had the ear of the president himself,” CREW said in a September 4 news release.

James Dobson, founder of the Col orado-based ministry Focus on the Family, visited the White House 24 times, including ten visits with President Bush. Tony Perkins, president of the Washing ton-based Family Research Council, visited 14 times, including two visits with Bush.